Itoje ‘refreshed’ for the Lions despite Saracens and England workload

Maro Itoje will be back in the usual routine on Wednesday ready for a starting role in the expectation of playing a full 80 minutes, after some novel experiences in the early stages of this Lions campaign.

Last Saturday, he was not involved in the match-day 23 against Western Force in Perth and it was all so unfamiliar to him that he didn’t even know the terminology to describe it. 

‘My role was just to support the team,’ he said, after being reinstated as captain for the clash with the Reds here in the state capital of Queensland. ‘I was the guy who… what do they call it? Warms up….

Sitting alongside, Andy Farrell intervened to help him out. ‘A bag holder,’ said the head coach. ‘Yeah, a bag holder,’ said Itoje. ‘I was one of the guys who warmed up with the team – a travelling reserve – and I just looked to support them in any way I could.’

How rare it was for him to be on the periphery. Itoje is normally an ever-present talisman, certainly for England. Remarkably, he has played every minute of his country’s last 30 consecutive Six Nations games, as a fitting testament to his powers of resilience. 

Yet, despite his status as the 2025 Lion King, he didn’t play from start to finish in the pre-tour fixture against Argentina in Dublin. Instead, he was replaced with nine minutes remaining.

That doesn’t happen often, although there has been nothing to suggest any negative significance for the 30-year-old, despite the fact that the game was in the balance and the Pumas went on to claim a shock 28-24 win. In the last two seasons, Itoje has played 61 games for club and country and a grand total of 4,678 minutes – a staggering average of 77 per match.

On Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium, the towering Saracen will return to the stadium where he suffered an unusual, early exit on his last visit. Having played every minute of England’s 2016 tour – starting in Brisbane – which culminated in an historic 3-0 series whitewash of the Wallabies, Itoje was forced off at half-time in the second Test here three years ago and missed the decider in Sydney, which the visitors won to take the series 2-1.

The veteran lock, on his third Lions tour, will prepare as if he is going the distance against the Reds this time, as someone who is often high up the global game-time charts. Fears have been expressed about his extreme workload – at a time when stricter limits are being introduced – but these are brushed off by the player himself and his coaches.

Ahead of this encounter with one of Australia’s leading Super Rugby sides, Itoje was asked how he was feeling, having played so many minutes in the last season. Farrell chipped in, saying: ‘He looks well for it, doesn’t he? Look at that smile!’ ‘No wrinkles,’ said Itoje. ‘No botox,’ quipped Farrell.

The skipper then addressed the subject more seriously, adding: ‘I feel good. I was actually thinking about this the other day – I felt refreshed coming into this environment. Often, when you talk about game minutes and load, part of it is the physical load, but a lot of it is the mental load.

‘Coming into this new environment and spending time with new players, new systems, new coaches, everything has been really refreshing for me. In my career I have had a lot of consistency with club and country, so just to have a different stimulus has been great.’

The appointment of Itoje as captain for this British and Irish mission made so much sense given his status as a Test certainty, his Lions pedigree and his impressive first Six Nations campaign leading England. He emphatically justified Steve Borthwick’s decision to install him as the successor to fellow Saracen, Jamie George, with his performances, his statesman-like authority and the way he fostered stronger bonds in the squad.

Asked about his leadership ploys in this four-nation set-up, Itoje said: ‘We have a whole series of committees – social committee etc – which I have put together with Tadhg Furlong, and he’s kind of run with it. We have social committees, fines committees, the laundry committee. Tomos (Williams) was in charge of the laundry, so we will have to find someone to replace him. Maybe Ben (White – Scotland scrum-half, called up this week) will take that role.’

In recent times, Itoje has demonstrated his growing assurance as a public speaker. He attended a St George’s Day function at 10 Downing Street and gave a confident address to the gathered guests, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Now, he has turned his focus to having a motivational impact on his team-mates here.

‘You want to build relationships and to be your authentic self,’ he said, when asked how he sets out to speak in this exalted company. 

‘So, you don’t want to deviate from that too much, but the general level of experience is a lot higher than in an international set-up or club context. You have to bear in mind that you’re talking to people who know how to play the game. Everyone here has a track record of success.’

Itoje has had plenty of career success, with a huge haul of titles and trophies, medals and awards over the years – although his record as a Lion is one series draw and one defeat; with two Test wins, one draw and three defeats. He will be hell-bent on enhancing that results tally during this trip Down Under.

He spoke passionately about the sense that ‘Lions fever’ is building after a good turn-out of visiting, red shirt-wearing fans last weekend in Perth. Itoje recognises how special all this is, which is why he can’t understand why any player from the home nations would consider taking an offer to join the proposed R360 rebel league.

When the issue was raised, he said: ‘I don’t know too much about that league, but obviously players want to play for the Lions. That’s not going to change. It was the same in the 1950s and it will be the same in 2050. People want to play for their country. People want to play for the Lions. I am sure that will remain.’